Celebrating 15 Years!
In September 2006, My Father's House opened to doors to our Transitional Housing Shelter and accepted our first residents. Some of our first residents had been homeless for some time and didn't want to leave the area due to local connections or resources. They eagerly awaited our opening and the opportunity to have a roof over their heads, regular meals and access to supportive services. Fifteen years later, the faces have changed but the needs have not.
We are so thankful to our donors for supporting us so that we can continue to serve the homeless in our community. Thank you for your partnership!
Recovered from homelessness and doing well.
Three of our kids have recovered from homelessness and are living great lives.
This single mom works at My Father's House now after recovering from homelessness and is doing very well.
Recovered from homelessness and doing well.
Matching Funds Needed for 2021
When you give Matching Funds, your donation allows us to access HUD grant funds at at 1:3 ratio, QUADRUPLING the impact of your gift! These funds help provide supportive services to our residents as well as fund the day to day operations of the shelter. For more info, click on the Matching Funds Info PDF!
Matching
Funds Info
DID YOU KNOW RURAL
HOMELESSNESS
HAPPENS IN KANSAS?
MY FATHER'S HOUSE COMMUNITY SERVICES
is a nonprofit organization dedicated to programming and advocacy for those who are experiencing homelessness, have a low income or who are struggling and underserved in some way.
The organization was founded in 2003 and opened it's first housing program, a transitional housing project, in 2006. Currently our catchment area for services is Miami and Linn counties in Kansas. The organization hopes to grow it's programming and catchment area into additional rural areas as its capacity for providing services increases.
Although they are often eligible for services available in urban areas, most often those who are experiencing homelessness refuse to enter the culture of the inner city to access services. Their perception may be that there are dangers that they cannot cope with.
Unlike the urban homeless, the rural homeless usually don’t have places that they gather to receive services such as soup kitchens and emergency shelters, therefore they are much more hidden from their community.
With little or no local services, law enforcement are sometimes forced to ask the homeless to move on to a different area. The homeless in many rural areas represent a problem with no good solution. Many more resources are needed to begin to address the concern on a larger scale.
Some Differences Between Rural and Urban Homeless Populations
Often pride, fueled by a difficulty in accessing services with any level of anonymity, will keep the underserved from seeking help.
Although they are often eligible for services available in urban areas, most often those who are experiencing homelessness refuse to enter the culture of the inner city to access services. Their perception may be that there are dangers that they cannot cope with.
Unlike the urban homeless, the rural homeless usually don’t have places that they gather to receive services such as soup kitchens and emergency shelters, therefore they are much more hidden from their community.
With little or no local services, law enforcement are sometimes forced to ask the homeless move on to a different area. The homeless in many rural areas represent a problem with no good solution. Many more resources are needed to begin to address the concern.